Did You Pray for Me? | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for March 9

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. — Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV

I have a friend of mine who told me this story about how he failed at prayer and how the Lord uses that experience to help him be diligent in prayer. My friend told me:

I went to church with a brother named Lyle who had a physical handicap that caused him to move slowly and to talk slowly.  Lyle knew he was limited but wanted to serve the Lord and he did so by praying for others.  Every time there was a prayer meeting, Lyle would show up.  After one such prayer meeting, Lyle asked me if I would pray for him, and I said sure.  The next Sunday I felt a tug on my shirt, and it was Lyle.  He asked, “Did You Pray for Me?”  Looking into the joyful and expectant eyes of my handicapped brother, I lied, and said, “Sure Lyle, I prayed for you!”  I felt like he had just taken the Lord’s name in vain!

At the next prayer meeting Lyle again asked for prayer and I said yes, vowing to pray for him.  But life got in the way and the following Sunday I was in the foyer after church as Lyle approached.  I knew it would take Lyle several seconds to reach me, so I threw up a “Jesus bless Lyle, in Your name, amen” prayer.  This time when Lyle asked me if I had prayed for him, I did not have to lie, but I still felt less than honest. 

My friend told me he had several options: Stop going to prayer meetings, avoid Lyle, lie, do a “throw up” prayer, or try to become a man of his word and pray for others when he says he will pray for others. He has opted for the last option.

May we all become more diligent as we pray for those who the Lord brings to mind and as we pray for those who need our prayers.